Marcos Says Philippines Doesnt Have a Choice but to Be Involved in Any War Over Taiwan

Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. takes part in a press conference during the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Cebu, central Philippines, on May 8, 2026. Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP via Getty ImagesFilipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said his country will inevitably be drawn into a conflict in Taiwan, given its proximity to the democratic self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.“In the Philippines, we do not have a choice, because Taiwan is so close to the Philippines, and we have almost 200,000 Filipino nationals who are living and working in Taiwan,” Marcos said in a roundtable with Japanese media on May 18.